2025

Awards Categories

SQFF is unique in that our award winners are chosen by both our Inside Jury—composed of incarcerated filmmakers—and our Industry Jury.

Our special awards honor individuals and works that make a lasting impact and celebrate the transformative power of film.

  • BEST FEATURE

    • Films exploring the prison/incarcerated experience.

    • Open to all filmmakers

  • BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

    • Submissions limited to system impacted filmmakers

    BEST NARRATIVE SHORT

    • Submissions limited to system impacted filmmakers

    BEST DOCUMENTARY & NARRATIVE PITCH

    • Submissions limited to currently incarcerated writers

  • ELLIOT THE G.O.A.T. • IMPACT & INNOVATION AWARD

    THE BRUCE SINOFSKY CHANGEMAKER AWARD

INDUSTRY JURY

  • Ghenga Akinnagbe

  • Nnamdi Asomugha

  • Richard Cabral

  • Chad Coleman

  • Rachel Dretzin

  • Tony Gerber

  • Chester Gordon

  • Mark Anthony Green

  • Clarence Maclin

  • Esai Morales

  • Debra Moore Muñoz

  • Tia Nomore

  • Christina Oh

  • Emil Pinnock

  • Isaiah Saxon

  • Kyra Sedgwick

  • Celine Song

  • Claudia Weill

  • Jesse Williams

  • Vanessa Williams

INSIDE JURY

  • Oscar Acosta

  • Eric Allen

  • Mike Callahan

    Mike Callahan

  • Roberto DeTrinidad

  • Clark Gerhartsreiter

  • Harold Meeks

  • Kevin Sawyer

OUR TEAM

  • Skyler Brown

    SQ TV Specialist

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  • Jodi Doane

    Jodi Doane

    Fundraising Consultant

  • Brian Asey Gonsoulin

    Producer

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  • Carina James

    Social Media Manager

  • Salvador Joaquin

    Brand Designer

  • Juan Haines

    Chapel Clerk

  • Harold Meeks

    Producer

  • Katherine Moore

    Producer

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  • Lonnie Morris

    SQ Liaison

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  • Capt. (R) Sam Robinson

    CDCR Consultant

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  • Kevin Sawyer

    Producer

  • Cori Thomas

    Artistic Director / Co-Founder

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  • Rahsaan "New York" Thomas

    Advisor / Co-Founder

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